Electronically enabled road bicycle with dynamic loading

ABSTRACT

A dynamic training system provides elevated load and energy demand on a rider of a moving bicycle out on the road or track. Resistance to movement of the bicycle is provided by a resistance unit which may include an eddy current brake. A processor may generate a control signal that adjusts the resistance to replicate the effort of riding a predetermined course or training protocol. Multiple riders at different times or locations can compete on a common virtual course. A stronger rider can be restrained by a heavier imposed load to keep pace together with a weaker rider, without compromising total power expenditure to keep the riders together.

This application claims the priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) ofU.S. Provisional Application No. 62/869,259, filed Jul. 1, 2019, theentirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Outdoor cycling is one of the most common fitness activities in theworld. Modern road bicycles are designed to travel at high speeds overvaried terrain by using light materials and sophisticated gearing.Nonetheless, it is the rider who is responsible for supplying power tothe drivetrain. Road cyclists vary greatly in ability and goals.

Competitive cyclists may train over long distances and many hours toobtain the desired training effect. Contrary to activities such asrunning, road cycling results in significant intervals when power outputis low due to changes in terrain. Competitive cyclists may increasetheir training effect by riding on hills that naturally increase ridingresistance.

Recreational cyclists frequently ride in a group, but it is oftendifficult for riders of different abilities to stay together. Ridingoutside has other disadvantages such as the risks associated with ridinglong distances on streets with traffic and uneven road surfaces. Coldweather also limits the riding season for many cyclists as the windchill from riding at relatively high speeds can make the activityuncomfortable.

For these reasons, many cyclists now ride indoors, affixing their bikesto magnetic resistance trainers. While safe and warm, this activity isconsidered boring by many. Social platforms have arisen that seek toemulate group riding and make the activity more social and competitive.

So, despite the numerous cycling products that have developed over time,there remains a need for a system that can offer the outdoor cyclingexperience yet minimize disadvantages such as those described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is provided in accordance with one aspect of the invention aresistance training device, configured for mounting on a bicycle andimposing resistance to motion without interfering with the ability ofthe bicycle to travel along the ground, in response to pedaling by arider. The resistance training device thus provides some of the featureson an indoor stationary training device and at the same time enables therider to experience those features while actually travelling along aroad, track or trail.

The resistance training device includes a support; a connector on thesupport for connection to a bicycle frame; and a roller configured tofrictionally engage a wheel on the bicycle when the connector isconnected to the frame. A conductive disc is configured to rotate inresponse to rotation of the roller. The device further includes a sourceof a magnetic field; and a control, for increasing or decreasingexposure of the disc to the magnetic field. The performance of therolling bicycle is thus influenced by the effects of a frictionless eddycurrent damper which, when engaged, increases the effort required to beexerted by the rider to sustain a given speed, compared to when the eddycurrent damper is disengaged.

The source may be at least one electromagnet, or at least one permanentmagnet. In some embodiments, the source may be at least six or 12 or 18or more permanent magnets. The permanent magnets may be supported by aframe, which may be movable between a first relationship with the disc,and a second, different relationship with the disc. The firstrelationship exposes the disc to a first magnetic field intensity, andthe second relationship exposes the disc to a second, lower magneticfield intensity, which lower intensity may be approximately zero. Thefirst relationship may position the disc between at least two opposingmagnets. The wheel may have a first axis of rotation, and the frame ispivotable about a second axis of rotation that is substantially parallelto the first axis of rotation.

The connector may be configured for connection to the bicycle such as byconnection to a seat tube or a seat post on the bicycle. The connectormay have a tool less quick connect lever.

The resistance training device may further comprise a plurality of finsfor dissipating heat. The roller and the conductive disc may be coaxial.The control may be mounted to the frame or to the bicycle such as beingconfigured for mounting to a handlebar.

The resistance training device may additionally include a protectiveguard adjacent the conductive disc, to prevent contact between the rideror clothing and the disc which can become hot.

The resistance training device may also include a controller forincreasing or decreasing exposure of the disc to the magnetic field inaccordance with a preselected pattern. At least one sensor may beprovided, such as a gyroscope, accelerometer, altimeter, GPS, windsensor, thermometer, inclination sensor, or sensors for collecting data(e.g., force, compression, torque, time and angle) which enables thecalculation of power exerted, for capturing data relating to one or moreparameters of load and/or performance. Any of a variety of wirelessprotocol transmitters (e.g., Bluetooth, ANT, ANT+) may be provided fortransmitting data to a remote device such as a smart phone or powermeter, which may be carried on a handlebar. In some embodiments, theresistance training device further comprises a power supply such as atleast one battery, capacitor or generator for generating electricity inresponse to movement such as rotation of a component on the bicycle.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided aresistance training device configured to provide the rider with avirtual experience of riding a preselected course. The previouslydescribed resistance training device is further provided with aprocessor, configured to receive data representing features of aselected route, and to generate control signals which modify theresistance to cause the bicycle to perform such that the rider has thesame experience as though they were actually riding on the preselectedroute. The data representing features of a selected route may be storedin a memory in direct wired communication with the processor, in aremote device such as a smart phone, or in the cloud.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a first resistancetraining device is configured to provide a first rider with a virtualcompetition with a second rider of a bicycle equipped with a secondresistance training device. The first and second riders each download acommon preselected course, and begin a ride. Performance data from thesecond rider may be wirelessly received by the resistance trainingsystem of the first rider (by the first rider's smart phone or receiverin an electronics module carried by the resistance training device) andvice versa, to allow each to monitor the other's performance. The ridersmay be travelling on the same actual physical course at the same ordifferent times, or may be geographically remote from each other.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a first resistancetraining device is configured to provide a first rider with a variableresistance level to compensate for strength or power differences betweenthe first rider and a second rider of a bicycle which may or may not beequipped with a second resistance training device. In oneimplementation, the first resistance training device is provided with aproximity sensor (e.g., WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, RFID) for determining theproximity of the second rider. The second rider may have a source of asignal that is detectable by the proximity sensor. The first resistancetraining device is configured to elevate the resistance in response toincreasing distance between the two riders, to slow the stronger firstrider and keep the riders in close physical proximity while allowing thefirst rider to experience a higher level of exertion.

There is provided in a further aspect of the invention, a dynamic,electronically enabled training system, for providing a virtual ridingexperience to a rider who is actually riding on a different ridingcourse. The system comprises a user powered vehicle such as a bicyclecomprising at least one wheel configured to move and drive the vehicleforward along the ground when the user powered vehicle moves in responseto exertion by the rider. A memory is configured to store one or morevirtual digital routes along which the user powered vehicle isconfigured to simulate travel. A variable resistance unit is configuredto apply a variable resistance to movement of the at least one wheel;and a processor is communicatively coupled to the memory and configuredto receive a feature of one virtual digital route of the one or morevirtual digital routes that the user powered vehicle is traveling,receive an input from a sensor coupled to the user powered vehicle, andgenerate a signal to adjust the variable resistance of the variableresistance unit to simulate load conditions corresponding to the virtualdigital route.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a bicycle having a resistance unitmounted thereon.

FIG. 2 is an enlargement of a portion of FIG. 1, showing a resistanceunit in a disengaged configuration.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of a resistance unit in accordancewith the present invention.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate the operating principles of a magnetic eddycurrent resistance unit.

FIG. 5 is a perspective exploded view of an alternate resistance unithaving a cooling fan.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show a modification of the resistance unit of FIG. 3,having bilaterally asymmetric magnets and a cooling fan.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention provides a dynamic training system for increasingload and energy demand on a rider of a moving bicycle out on the road ortrack. In one implementation described in greater detail below,resistance to movement of the bicycle is provided by a resistance unitwhich may include an eddy current brake. The eddy current brake includesa nonmagnetic, electrically conductive disk and at least one magnetmoveable relative to each other, such as a disc rotatably mounted withinthe magnetic field of one or more fixed permanent magnets orelectromagnets. The magnets introduce eddy currents in the disk when thedisk is rotating, with the effect of producing a smooth, frictionlessresistance to rotation.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is schematically illustrated a bicycle 10having a frame 12 supported by a rear wheel 14 and a front wheel 16 asis understood in the art. The frame 12 comprises a top tube 18 whichforms a triangle along with a seat tube 20 and a down tube 22. The frontof the top tube 18 and down tube 22 are joined at a head tube 24. Therear wheel 14 is supported by left and right seat stays 26 and left andright chain stays 28. The seat stays 26, chain stays 28 and front forks30 are bilaterally symmetrical as is understood in the art and thereforeonly one side will be discussed herein.

A resistance unit 32 in accordance with the present invention may besecured with respect to the frame 12 and provide resistance to rollingmovement of at least one of rear wheel 14 and front wheel 16. In theillustrated embodiment, the resistance unit 32 provide resistance torotation of the rear wheel 14, and is connected to at least one of thechain stay 28, seat tube 20, top tube 18 or seat post 34.

In the illustrated embodiment, the resistance unit 32 is releasablysecured via a connector 36 with respect to the frame, such as to seatpost 34. The connector 36 carries a resistance unit housing or frame 38which rotatably supports at least one roller 40 and a disc 48.

Referring to FIG. 3, roller 40 is configured to frictionally engage androtate with a corresponding wheel, such as rear wheel 14. An annularconcavity 42 is defined between first and second side walls 44, 46 tooptimize friction and force transfer from the wheel 14 to the roller 40,and also keep the roller 40 properly aligned with the wheel 14. Thesurface of the concavity 42 may be provided with a friction enhancingsurface such as a plurality of ridges, or roughened surface texture, ora coating or layer of a polymeric (e.g., rubber) material to resistslipping relative to the bicycle tire.

The roller 40 is in rotational engagement with the disc 48 such that,when engaged, rolling of the wheel 14 causes rotation of the roller 40,which in turn cases rotation of the disc 48. In the illustrated example,roller 40 is coaxial with and on one side of the disc 48, and rotationof the roller 40 and disc 48 is 1:1. Alternatively, a second disc 48′(not illustrated) may be mounted on a second side of the roller 40 suchas to accommodate additional magnets or other design objective. The disc48 may be a separate structure, or may be integrally formed with theroller 40, such as by increasing the diameter of one or both of the sidewalls 44 and 46 to form one or two integral discs, leaving space betweenthe medial side of the side walls 44, 46 and the wheel 14 to accommodaterotation without contact between the disc 48 and wheel 14.

The frame 38 may comprise a first strut 50 and optionally a second strut52 each optionally having a pivotable connector 54 allowing the frame topivot towards or away from the wheel 14 with respect to a point ofattachment such as connector 36. The frame may also carry a magnetsupport 60 (FIG. 2) having one or more movable points of attachment 62with respect to the frame 38 allowing the magnet support 60 to be movedtowards or away from the disc 48. As will be apparent from thediscussion of eddy currents, below, the magnet support 60 may beconfigured to move within the plane of the disc (as illustrated) betweena more engaged orientation (FIG. 1) and a less engaged configuration(FIG. 2). Alternatively, the magnet support 60 may be moveable in themedial lateral direction, or transverse to the plane of the disc 48, toadjust the spacing between the magnets and the disc 48. In an embodimentutilizing electromagnets, the magnet support may be immovably mountedwith respect to the disc and the intensity of the magnetic field can bevaried to adjust resistance as will be apparent to those of skill in theart.

The magnet support 60 is configured to hold a plurality of magnets 64such that when engaged the disc 48 is within a magnetic field of butoutside of physical contact with any magnets 64. The number and size ofthe magnets can be varied widely, depending upon the desiredperformance. Magnets can be carried in opposing pairs, on left and rightsides of the disc, such as from at least two magnets to about 50magnets, and in some embodiments from about 10 magnets to about 30magnets, evenly distributed on either side of the disc. In theembodiment of FIG. 3, the magnet support 60 is removed to show thelocations of 10 magnets in relation to the disc 48 with a first set 61on a first side and a second set of magnets 63 on a second side of thedisc 48.

The magnets may be of one or more types including permanent Rare Earthmagnets composed of neodynium element or electromagnets constructed ofelectrically conductive wire that is wound around a metallic core.

The magnets may vary in shape and dimensions. For example, the magnetsmay have a cylindrical, cuboid or arc shape. Dimensions for acylindrical magnet may vary from 0.125-1.0 inches for the diameter andfrom 0.062-1.0 inches in length. Other magnetic shapes may varysimilarly in terms of dimensions.

The magnets are illustrated as lying along an arc that has a center ofrotation that is concentric with the center of rotation of the disc 48.The resistance unit 32 illustrated in FIG. 2 has two rows of magnets oneach side of the disc, with each row aligned along an arc concentricwith the rotational axis of the disc. The radius of the arc affects theapplied resistance as discussed further below. In general, the radiuswill be within the range of from about 2.0 to about 6.0 inches.

Alternatively, the magnets may be electromagnets rather than permanentmagnets. Electromagnets of 0.5-2.5″ diameter may have pull forces of50-500 N using DC input with 12-24V battery sources. Electromagnetswould permit variable resistance without the need to move the magnethousing in relation to the disc.

The magnet support 60 may be manually moved relative to the disc, toadjust the resistance between zero and a maximum determined by a varietyof factors discussed below. Alternatively, the magnet support may beconnected such as via a control cable to a control such as knob or leveron the handle bar or frame, so that the resistance level can be adjustedby a rider via a remote control while the bike is in motion. Adjustmentmay be continuous throughout a range. Alternatively, the resistance maybe indexed such that the rider perceives a click or stop at each of aseries of resistance levels such as zero, low, medium or high,corresponding to the location of the magnet support 60 relative to thedisc 48.

Resistance levels can be calibrated to a use case that will beunderstood by the rider. For example, a lever, knob or other control mayhave an ‘off’ or disengaged position in which no resistance is provided.The control may be moved to a series of positions in which theresistance on a flat course is equivalent to a hill having a slope ofbetween 2.0 to 20.0% assuming no wind or other outside influence.

The resistance unit 32 may additionally be provided with any of avariety of electronics such as to record data for real time feedback orsubsequent diagnostic evaluation. Parameters like running time withresistance engaged, speed, resistance level, expended power(instantaneous, peak, average, normalized, total) and others may becaptured. On board electronics may include force or power sensors,temperature sensors, one or more processors, a power supply, Bluetooth,ANT+ or other wireless protocol or WIFI chip to enable communicationwith any of a variety of devices such as smart phones, power meters,cycling computers or other devices as desired. Power may be supplied byone or more batteries or an on-board generator, that may be rotationallyengaged with the wheel, disc 48 or roller 40.

The resistance unit 32 may additionally be programmed to providevariable resistance that is determined by input from a variety ofsources including GPS, real-time weather or onboard sensors. Forinstance, a rider may download and input a course file from a differentlocation that contains the GPS terrain data. The unit can then re-createthat “virtual course” on the rider's own roads. Changes in resistancecould be made to emulate the (terrain) on the virtual course and evenmake adjustments for wind speed and direction.

Riders in different locations could ride the same virtual courses forsocial or competitive reasons. The virtual courses and associated datacould be displayed on a computer screen attached to the handlebars ofthe bicycle. In this fashion, the rider could monitor the route forupcoming “hills” and “descents” and track progress relative to remoteriders.

The Resistance unit 32 could also be linked to similar units via BTLE orAnt+ signaling so that resistances could be adjusted based on apredetermined input. For instance, an “electronic tether” could becreated so that the resistance on a leading unit is increased wheneverthe unit gets too far ahead of the second unit. In this fashion, astronger rider would see resistance increase whenever he or she got toofar ahead of a companion thus encouraging a closer riding relationshipbetween 2 different bicycles and riders.

In still another social format, a number of units could be programmedwith resistances that are calibrated to each rider's individualfunctional threshold power (FTP) so that each rider is essentially nowriding on an equal footing with paired riders. Similar to a handicap ingolf, the units could permit a new type of competition whereby allriders are starting with “physiologic equality” based on their own “FTPhandicap”.

Generally, eddy current brakes convert kinetic energy into electricalcurrents with the motion of a conductor through a magnetic field. Eddycurrents, which are localized circular electric currents I within aconductor, slow or stop a moving object by dissipating kinetic energy asheat, thus providing a non-contact dissipative force F that isproportional and opposite to the velocity of the movement w, asillustrated in FIG. 4A.

A variety of factors influence the level of resistance provided by arotational disc system, summarized as follows:

τ=σ*A*d*B ² *R ²*ω  (1)

In this equation, resistive torquer depends on the conductivity of thedisc material a, area of the disc exposed to the magnetic field A, thethickness of the disc d, the magnitude of the magnetic field strength B,the effective radius of the disc R, and the angular velocity of the discrotation a, as shown in FIG. 4B. In some embodiments, this means thatsimply changing the area of the disc exposed to the magnetic field canchange the resistive properties of the resistance unit 32. Additionaldetails are disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2018/0207466, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety herein byreference.

Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, there is illustrated a resistance unit 32which is a modification of that illustrated in FIG. 3, having an addedthermal management feature. The first set 61 and second set 63 ofmagnets are both located on a first side of disc 48. The opposing,second side of disc 48 is provided with a plurality of fins to provide aheat sink which can also function as a fan to dissipate heat accumulatedas a result of the conversion from mechanical energy to heat. Forsimplicity, the mechanism for moving the magnets sets 61 and 63 closerto or farther from the disc 48 is not illustrated.

A guard 67 may also be provided, to prevent accidental contact by therider or clothing with the potentially hot disc 48. In the illustratedembodiment, the guard 67 is in the form of an arcuate flange which atleast partially encloses the perimeter of the disc 48 and may beattached to the magnet support 60.

Referring to the particular implementation of FIG. 5, a nonmagnetic,electrically conductive circular disk 70 is mounted on a shaft 64 sothat it rotates along with the shaft. The circular disk 70 is mounted onthe shaft 64 between the opposing sets of electromagnets 66 and 68. Thedisk 70 may be supported on the shaft 64 by a cylindrical supportbracket 72 on one side and may be provided with a rotatable fan 74 onone or both sides. The fan 74 includes a plurality of fan blades thatextends outward from one or both surfaces of the disk 70. As the shaft44, and thus disk 70, and fan 74 rotate, the fan produces a flow of airthat cools the disk 70 and the electromagnets 66 and 68, and dependingupon the configuration also the electronics (not shown) used to regulatethe flow of power to the electromagnets in an electromagnet embodiment.The fan blades provide additional cooling by acting as a high surfacearea heat sink for the disc.

The opposing sets of electromagnets 66 and 68 are connected to anelectrical drive circuit (not shown) located on supporting circuitboards 63 and 65. The electrical drive circuit is in turn connected toan internal battery or generator (not illustrated) or an external powersource by an electrical cable 80 or 84. The electrical drive circuitenergizes the electromagnets 62 and 64 at predetermined times and powerlevels to produce magnetic fields between the opposing sets of magnets62 and 64. In this embodiment, the magnets function as typicalelectromagnets. In the non-electrical embodiment, the magnets are of theRare Earth type, usually neodymium or samarium-cobalt magnets.

As a bicyclist pedals, the eddy current disk 70 rotates within themagnetic fields produced by the electromagnets 66 and 68. The eddycurrent disk 70 is formed of a nonmagnetic, electrically conductivematerial. Therefore, the magnetic fields produced by electromagnets 66and 68 produce eddy currents within the structure of the disk 70 as itrotates. The interaction between the electromagnetic fields produced bythe eddy currents within the disk 70 creates a torque/resistance to therotation of the shaft 64, and thus rear wheel 16.

The structure and operation of the electrical drive circuit andelectromagnets 66 and 68 are well known to those of ordinary skill inthe art.

The use of electromagnets allows individual or groups of magnets to beenergized at specified times and voltages to produce variable torques,and resistances to the rotation of the bicycle's rear wheel. The use ofelectromagnets allows the resistance or braking force to be set to anydesired level or varied in order to duplicate actual road conditionsexperienced by a bicycle rider.

The torque/resistance produced by the eddy current brake 26 may beincreased or decreased manually or automatically in order to simulatechanges in terrain. For example, the electrical control circuit may beused to adjust the power energizing the electromagnets 62, thusadjusting the amount of torque/resistance produced by the eddy currentbrake to simulate the resistance experienced by cycling over a knowncourse having varying topography. In one example, the rider who isconfined geographically to a riding on flat terrain, could program aresistance course that would simulate hills of any grade or length. Inanother example, a rider who wishes to achieve greater training effectcould program a resistance that would require a minimum or stable poweroutput regardless of terrain.

In certain implementations of the invention, the eddy current disk 70 isformed of an aluminum alloy. However, the resistivity of aluminum alloyschanges as a function of temperature. When an eddy current brake 26,having a disk 70 formed of an aluminum alloy is used for a sufficientduration or at high RPM, the disk may heat up to sufficient temperaturesto change the resistivity of the disk. As the resistivity of the diskchanges, the torque/resistance produced by the eddy current alsochanges. The change in torque/resistance as a function of temperatureresults in inaccurate measurements of the user's energy output and thus,performance. If the disk 70 is subjected to sufficient temperatures, thetemper of the aluminum alloy can also change.

Thus, the disk 70 used in the eddy current brake 32 may alternatively beformed of a copper alloy containing between approximately 5.0% to 15.0%zinc by weight. In one embodiment, the disk 70 is formed of a copperalloy that includes about 90% copper and about 10% zinc. A suitablecopper alloy is commercially available and sold under the term“commercial bronze.” In alternate embodiments of the invention, copperalloy comprising about 85% copper and about 15% zinc, commonly referredto as “red bronze,” may also be used. Additional alloy details may befound in U.S. Pat. No. 5,656,001, the contents of which are herebyincorporated in their entirely herein by reference.

In general, disc 70 will typically have a diameter within the range offrom about 2.0 inches to about 6.0 inches, and in some implementationsfrom about 1.0 to about 3.0 inches depending upon desired performanceand form factor. The thickness will typically be within the range offrom about 0.5 inches to about 2.5 inches.

Although the preset invention has been described primarily in thecontext of a magnetic eddy current brake, other types of resistancemechanisms may be utilized depending upon the desired form factor andperformance. For example, rotary dampers (sometimes called dashpots) maybe suitable for use in the present invention depending upon the desiredperformance. These are precision fluid damping devices which give asmooth resistance to shaft rotation which increases with angularvelocity.

Silicone fluid (Polydimethyl Siloxane) is a suitable damping mediumbecause of its stable viscous properties. A variety of other dampeningmedia may also be used such as fluorocarbon gels or other viscous greaseproducts, water or air depending upon damper design and intendedperformance. Dashpots are normally vacuum filled and sealed for life,and the housing or coatings on the housing can comprise materials havinggood corrosion resistance in the intended use environment.

Damping can be adjusted in the case of dampers that utilizeelectro-rheological fluid (ERF) or magneto-rheological fluid (MRF), bychanging the viscosity of the fluid.

In an MRF damper, micron-sized, magnetically polarized particles aresuspended in a carrier fluid such as silicone oil or mineral oil. MRF iscapable of responding to an applied magnetic field in a fewmilliseconds. The material properties of an MRF can change rapidly byincreasing or decreasing the intensity of the applied magnetic field.The material property can be viewed as a controllable change in theapparent viscosity of the fluid by varying the current supplied to, forexample, an adjacent electromagnet. A higher fluid apparent viscositycan be exploited to provide a higher damping force or pressure-dropacross an MRF valve.

Energy to drive the electromagnets and/or MRF damper resistance andassociated electronics can be supplied by a battery, solar cells, or anon-board generator to scavenge electricity from a wheel, the resistanceunit, or other source of rotational motion. A control may be provided toallow the rider to toggle between a low resistance and a high resistancemode, or to also adjust the resistance to intermediate values asdesired.

1. A resistance training device, configured for mounting on a bicycleand imposing resistance to motion without interfering with the abilityof the bicycle to travel along the ground, comprising: a support; aconnector on the support for connection to a bicycle frame; a rollerconfigured to frictionally engage a wheel on the bicycle when theconnector is connected to the frame; a conductive disc configured torotate in response to rotation of the roller; a source of a magneticfield; and a control, for increasing or decreasing exposure of the discto the magnetic field.
 2. A resistance training device as in claim 1,wherein the source is at least one electromagnet.
 3. A resistancetraining device as in claim 1, wherein the source is at least onepermanent magnet.
 4. A resistance training device as in claim 1, whereinthe source is at least six permanent magnets.
 5. A resistance trainingdevice as in claim 4, wherein the permanent magnets are supported by aframe.
 6. A resistance training device as in claim 5, wherein the frameis movable between a first relationship with the disc, and a second,different relationship with the disc.
 7. A resistance training device asin claim 6, wherein the first relationship exposes the disc to a firstmagnetic field intensity, and the second relationship exposes the discto a second, lower magnetic field intensity.
 8. A resistance trainingdevice as in claim 7, wherein the first relationship positions the discbetween at least two opposing magnets.
 9. A resistance training deviceas in claim 8, wherein wheel has a first axis of rotation, and the frameis pivotable about a second axis of rotation that is substantiallyparallel to the first axis of rotation.
 10. A resistance training deviceas in claim 1, wherein the connector is configured for connection to aseat tube on the bicycle.
 11. A resistance training device as in claim1, wherein the connector is configured for connection to a seat post onthe bicycle.
 12. A resistance training device as in claim 1, furthercomprising a plurality of fins for dissipating heat.
 13. A resistancetraining device as in claim 1, wherein the roller and the conductivedisc are coaxial.
 14. A resistance training device as in claim 1,wherein the control is mounted to the frame.
 15. A resistance trainingdevice as in claim 1, wherein the control is configured for mounting toa handlebar.
 16. A resistance training device as in claim 1, furthercomprising a protective guard adjacent the conductive disc.
 17. Aresistance training device as in claim 1, further comprising acontroller for increasing or decreasing exposure of the disc to themagnetic field in accordance with a preselected pattern.
 18. Aresistance training device as in claim 1, further comprising at leastone sensor for capturing data relating to a parameter of performance.19. A resistance training device as in claim 18, further comprising atransmitter for transmitting data to a remote device.
 20. A resistancetraining device as in claim 1, further comprising a generator forgenerating electricity. 21-35. (canceled)